FaithLife Devotional

Nov. 30, 2017 at 9:06 p.m.

POULTRY WIRE

I ran to the hardware store the other day for a roll of chicken wire. Much to my surprise, I learned it's now called, poultry wire. I guess chickens were offended by the political incorrectness and decided it was time for a name change. You may be wondering why a preacher needs chicken wire. No, it wasn't for the church.

My little dogs like to dig out from underneath our fence. My good friend, Cory Robinson, who fancies himself as an expert fence builder, told me that if I tacked the wire around the bottom of my fence, my little diggers would give up. And, he was right. They've tried digging out, but give up once they realize it's not worth the effort.

My wife has been after me the last couple of years to take all the vacation that the church affords me. I like working at my church so much that I seldom use all my vacation time. To kill two birds with one stone, I took a week and attached the poultry wire. Honestly, I like working out in the yard. Whether picking up sticks or working on the fence, it gives me time to be alone without too many interruptions.

Like you, my life revolves around cell phones, texts, emails, and meetings. Every minute is filled with some sort of sound or voice. When that happens, we miss the still small voice of God. I find that God is actively speaking even today, but we've allowed our ears to be filled with so much other stuff that we miss hearing God.

Little Samuel was living with Eli the priest when God tried speaking with him. Unable to discern God's voice, wise Eli told young Samuel to say, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9). With his spiritual ears open, Samuel found that God had lots to say. And so will you, when you get alone and quiet before the Lord.